6th Icebox 480 11/3/18, River Falls, WI.
Whitetail Ridge Mountain Bike Trail
This was my second time running this event (first was in
2015). Drove down with my neighbor and it was a bit chilly out (34°), but clear
with dry trails. Picked up our bibs and hat/sticker at 7:15am (still before it
was light out), set out our drop bags, and hung out in the car for another
30mins.
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| Pre-race |
After a short announcement, with very little warning, we
were all off! I began walking/shuffling for the first few minutes, until we
were finally spread out enough to run. After a few more minutes, I was still
going just a bit too slowly behind a few runners, so I moved ahead and it was
much better – just a comfortable run out in the woods.
1st lap: easy pace. Leaves down, good trail
conditions (dry). Look at timing for aid station (~52min). Quick text to
Elenia, refill with water and out after 1:12. Still ahead of Finn by 5min?
2nd lap: Still good. Was going by quickly.
Toilet, text, refill with Gatorade. Out after 1:16 (2:28 total)
3rd lap: Hamstring start getting sore. Thought
about telling Elenia to not bother, that I wasn’t going to run the whole time.
Wondered if I would have to just walk the rest. Out after 1:19 (3:48 total)
4th lap: slowed some, but felt no worse. Still
moving well. Twisted left ankle early, but not affect run. Kicked a few roots
(all day). Still 5-10 mins ahead of Finn. Out after 1:27 (5:16 total)
5th lap: pit stop half way. Finn pass after
mid-Aid station. Moving ok, but slower. Thought may do 1-2 laps. Felt rubbing
on back of left heel-adjust shoe twice during lap. Try and change shoes after
lap, Would not fit…put same ones back on (no blister at all). Out after 1:34
(6:50 total).
See Elenia/CC. Try and change shoes, not fit, so back out
for short laps. Decide I want to run until time is up, with no pit stops. Loop
times: 12:33,11:34,12:02,12:07,11:58. Wanted 40 miles, and got it, ending at
7:51:06. Missed going out for 41 miles by 3 minutes. Male/Female leaders flying
for last lap. Male finished with 56miles, 8 seconds under cutoff, then
collapsed.
(No other photos...didn't wear my vest - so no place to carry my phone!)
